Machine for and method of assembling chains



Dec. s, 1931. l R F, Dow A 1,8351'1 11 MACHINE FOR AND METHOD OFASSEMBLING CHAINS Filed May 27, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet l DEC. 8, 1931. R1F. DOW 1,835,111

MACHINE FOH AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING CHAINS Filed May 27, 1925 9Sheets-Sheet 2 Snom/Moz vg @ma Dec. 8, 1931. R; F. Dow 1,835,111

MACHINE FOR AND METHOD OF -ASSEMBLING CHAINS Filed May 27, 1925 9Sheets-Sheet 3l R. F. DOW

Dec. 8, 1931.

MACHINE FOR AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING CHAINS 9 sheets-shet 4 Filed May27, 192

www. Flf. m w@ Dec. 8, 1931. R F, DOW 1,835,111

MACHINE FOR AND METHOD OF' ASSEMBLING CHAINS Filed May 27, 1925 9Sheets-Sheet 5 f". .gf. 66

so' a\ a9 d 40 w 2M Dec. s, 193,1. R F, Dow 1,835,111

MACHINE FOR AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING CHAINS Filed May 27, 1925 9Sheets-Sheet 6 Qec. 8, 1931.

R. F. Dow

v MACHINE FOR AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING CHAINS Filed May 27, 1925 209 l'jE-Z 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Snom/vio@ Dec. 8, 1931. R F, DOW 1,835,111

MACHINE FOR AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING CHAINS Filed May 27. 1925 9Sheets-Sheet 8 'hT Ef T I I l Dc. 8, 1931. R. F.\Dow 1,835,113]

MACHINE FOR AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING CHAINS Filed May '27, 1925 9Sheets-Sheet 9 Patented Dec. 8, 1931 PATENT OFFICE- l RICHARD F. now, oFHARTRoRnooNNEcTICUT. yAssIfiNolRi'i'oY v'rmi A WHITNEY MANU-CONNECTICUT, A .CORPORATION Y or 'ooN- rAcrruRIivci-v COMPANY, on.`HARTFORD,

NECTICUT MACHINE .FoR ANnii/I'Ecrnon on ASSEMBLING `eHAINs.

' Application filed 11ayl27,

This invention relates to thev artofassem# bling chain 4parts and has asitsobjectt'o provide an improved machine for this "purposeV havingvarious features of novelty vand ad- 5 vantage and which"islparticularlycharacter# ized by its simplicity and effectiveness in construotiomarrangement and'operatio'nan'd by its high rate of productivity. f

l Other objects will be in part'obvious and n, in' partpointedoutjm'oreindetailherein- Thefinventioi'il accordingly consists 'in @the featuresof construction, combination 'of Tele'- ments and arrangement offpartsywhichwill f1145 be exemplified'in'the construction hereinaftclaims.

`er `set forthyand the scope ofthe-application of which will beii'1dicatediii' thefappended l It is to be understoodf"tl"1at,` whilehave `no shown butrone embodiment of my invention in they accompanyingdrawings, this "showing is by wayof etenipliiioationon'ly5tli`einventiony being susceptible of various modificationsAandhanges in construction, arrange- "`L`5 ment and operationwhichfjwouldfbe within the spirit4 of the invention, and 'certain of thenovel ,features and characteristics maybe employed in other combinationsthan'thos'e herein described'. Furthermore', the inven-Y to tion residesinthe methods recited 'in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings',wherein`is shown, by way, of illustration,one lof the many embodimentswhich the present invens tion maytake: i v

Figure l is a top' plan View of thefmachin'c", the hoppers forithe linkelementsand for the connecting members `or pins'beingomitt'ed.

fFig. 2 is sectional View takcnsubstantially online 2-4-2 of Fig. 1.: pg i Fig. Sis view of `the left hand or delivery end of the machine,certain ofthe parts being broken away for the'purposefof illustratingmore clearly the mechanism `for the pinching or heading the ends oftheconnecting Vpins Y after the same have assembled inthe link elements. f1H:

Fig. 4 isafsectional view taken substantial'' ly online ofFig l, andshows injsection the f lower j end of `the` lchute f throu,` hv whichKVway.

'15525. sriaifNo. 33,288.,

through 'the ,I gfuideWay, the means for advancingthe rows oflinksthereinV andajportion of the combingl mechanism. Y l Fig. 6 is atransverse section through the 4guideway,this view being takensubstantial# lyonline-B ofFig. 5*.` A 1 1 Fig. Tis a vertical sectionalViewV taken substantially oii lii'ie 744'( ofJ14`ig.2 and shows portionsof the; piirdelivery mechanism.

`. Fig.y 8 is `a'verticallongitudinal section through 'the combingmechanism, 'the parts being shown in the Yposition which they (takevwhen the mechanism is lowered onto the link elements and before it combsthesame.

= Fig. 9 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 8,* showing the position wliich'theparts `take"when the coinbing'operation has just been completed.V Fig.Vl0 is a transverse sectional view through the combing mechaii'iism,`this view being taken substantially online 10j-10 of 1 Figure 9.

Fig. l1` is a perspective view looking at the side and bottom oi theslide Vfor ,advancing 'the links in? the guideway and for advancing thechain, A

Fig. 12 'is arperspective-View` of the vguide- Fig. 13 is a View showingmore or less dia.i grammatically and in top plan a portion ofthehopper'forthe guide plates or links and the means for distributingthe guide plates tothe two chutes which deliver: the same to oppositesides-.of the guideway. u

Fig. 14 is a perspective view, .of a deflector or Vturning plate `whichVdetermines the; re- Y spective chuteto which the guide plates aredelivered. i a

Fi g. l'is. a View showing diagrammatically the'mannerin which a guideplate willbe del flected by the delector when the plate `is l ing withits concave edge towards one side stantially on li1ie`1515 of Fig. 13. uFigfl'is aiview similar to Fig. 15'but shows the :mannenin which a guideplate ridesover the deflectorwhen the 'guidep'late 05 of the channel,lthis view being taken subv A CTI has its concave. edge towards theother side of the channel.

Fig. 17 is a view taken substantially on line 17-17 of F ig. 13 andshows, in cross section, t-he upper ends of the guide plate chutes.

Figs. 18 to 21 inclusive, are schematic views showing the successivesteps which take place during the assemblingoperations, Fig. 18illustrating ay first row of links as having been combed and the pins asbeing in serted int-o the co-mbed links.

Fig. 19 shows the assembled portion of the chain as having been advancedone step and the rows' of links advanced to bring another' row intocombing position. Y l

Q0 shows the means for advancing the partially formed chain and meansfor advancing the rows of links as being on their return movement, andthat row of links in combing position as justl start-ing to be combed.`

Fig. 21 shows the links as having been fully combed, and the pilotsforinsuring thatthe combed linksare in proper overlapping relation to thelinks at. each end thereof, are illustrated as advancing. j

In order that the detailed description which is to follow may be betterunderstood` a general description of the mechanisms of the machine vandthe mode of operation thereof will here` be given.

It vmay be'well here to state that in the present illustrativedisclosure, the machine is shown as employed for assembling the parts ofsilent chains; that is, chainsl wherein at least some of the links areprovided with teeth at each end, adapted to cooperate with the teeth ofsprockets or pinions over which the chains pass.

lVhile the invention finds peculiar applica bility to this use, it is tobe understood that the present disclosure is by way of exemplificationonly. In the present instance, the machine is particularly constructedto assemble chains having driving links of the character just describedand guide plates or links which may be devoid of teeth, the plates inthe present instance being provided at each side of the chains. It is,of course, obvious that the machine may be employed to assemble linksother than of the character here described andto assemble chainscomposed entirely of driving links or chains wherein the guide platesare arranged other than as herein stated. The driving links aredesignated by the letter X and the guide-,plates or links by the letterY. Each of these link elements is provided adjacent each end with a holefor receiving a connecting member, the holes in the various links beingspaced apart at like distances. The distancebetween the centers of theholes may be .referred to as one pitch. The holes may be of any suitableshape and size. The connect-ing members are here shown as being in theform of pins Z, it being understood of course that the connectingmembers may be of any suit able construction, design or shape.

The machine ,is provided with a bedB, having a longitudinally extendingchannel or guideway A to which the links are delivered, the links beingfed or advanced in this guideway inrows, the links of 'each row being inside by side, or transversely alined, relation and the rows being onebehind the other. The links are supplied to the guideway throughsuitable chutes `from hopper-s. The arrangementof the chut-es andhoppers will depend upon the character of the chain to be assembled. Inthe present instance, one chute C is employed for delivering drivinglinks X to the central portion of the guideway, and two chutes, D and E,respectively, deliver guide plates to the opposite sides ofthe guide. 1

way. The rows of link elements are succcssively advanced in theguideway. by pushers 35 and 3G to a combing position where combingmechanism, shown in detail in Figs. 8 to 10 inclusive, advancesordisplaccs certain of the links with respect to the other ones. thedistance of one pitchsovthat thesdisplacciil links are brought intooverlapped and intervening relation to these other links and to thelinks: of the set last assembled on the chain. After the links are thuscombed pilots L are advanced to insure proper alincment of the pinreceiving holes and then the connectors or pins Z are inserted in thetwo sets ol alined holes. Thesepins may be delivered `from a pin hopperthrough a suitable chute H to a shuttle or transfer` device I whichautomatically carries the pins into alined relation with the pininserting means such aspush rods K, and which rods are in alinedrelation withthe pilots. After the pins are inserted, the portion of thechain assembled is advanced the distance of two pitches, as by meansofpushers 38, another row of links is fed to combing position, theselinks are combed, and the sequence of movements is repeated until achain of the desired length i.` obtained. If desired, the machine may beprovided at a point beyond the combing position, with means forclinching, nicking or heading the ends of the inserted pins.

Referring now more specifically to the construction, the guideway inwhich the rows of links are fed to combing position and in which thechain is formed will first be described. This guideway, which isdesignated generally by the letter Afl is inthe form of a channelprovided in the upper surface of the bed or frame B, which may be -ofany suitable construction.- The size, shape and Iother characteristicsof the channel will depend upon the width of the chain, the relation inwhich the-drivingl-inks and guide plates are to be assembled, and otherconditions.V In the present instance, wherein the machine is portion189?) for holding the slide in that position, and a return portion 1890l'or withdrawing` or retracting the guide to the position shown in Fig.19.

The comber and the means tor operating same will now be described,particular reference being had to Figs. 3, 8, 9 and 10. The comberincludes a head G carried on the lower end of a carrier or ram 66,mounted 'for Vertical movement in a standard or bracket 67, arising fromthe base or frame. Mounted in the head Gr, for movement longitudinallyof the guideway A, is a movable comb, comprising spaced apart combingblades 68. The spaced relation ot these blades will depend upon thecharacter of the chain being formed, and particularly the overlappingrelation in which the successive sets of links are to be connected. lnthe present instance, where it is assumed, ior purposes of illustration,that in the assembled chain alternate link elements are in overlappingrelation to the intervening ones, the blades 68 are spaced apart thedistance of the width ot a lilik element. Each ot the movable blades isprovided with two projections so located and shaped that they engage theopposite ends of the respective links and center the links, ,so tospeak. The movable combing blades, in the present instance, areconnected together by cross bars or members 70.

The comber' further comprises a series ot Stationary blancs 71,positioned between the movable blades 68, and each having threeprojections 72. The projections 72 are so located that the centralprojections and the foremost ones engage, center and hold in positionthe links ot the last set connected to the chain, and the centralprojections and the rearmost ones engage and hold in position those.links ol the row which is being combed but which are not to be advancedduring the combing operation. The head Gr comprises a pair of sideplates 75, end plates 76 and comb supporting plates 77. rlChe numeral 7Sdesigna-tes a lever located within the head and fixed to a pivot 79journalled in the side plates 75. Gn one end of the pivot is an arm 80,adapted when the comber is raised, to engagea lixed, but adjustable,abutment. or screw 8l whereby 'the movable comb is lon- ;Iitudinallymoved from the position shown on Fig. 9 to the normal position shown inFig. 8. The arrangement is preferably such that the combs may be loweredinto engagement with the respective sets ot' links, the movable comb maythereafter be actuated to comb the links, and then the pressure ot thecombs on the links may be somewhat relieved so that while the combsmaintain the links in overlapping relation, the links may be movedslightly, it necessary, by the pilots when the latter are advanced toaline the holes of the links preliminary to insertingthe pins Z. Afterthe pins Z are inserted,

the comber is raised and the movable comb is moved to the normalposition shown in Fig. 8. The head G is mounted on the lower end of theram 66 for limited vertical movement relative thereto. In the presentininstance, the lower end of the ram has an enlargement 66 on its lowerend which lits between the side and end plates of the comber head. Theend plates 76 of the comber head have ears 83 which project overshoulders 66 on the enlargement 66. See Figs. tl and 9. The lower end ofthe enlargement 66 is hollowed or cored out so as to accommodate thelever 78. Carried by the enlargement is an adjustable abutment adaptedto engage the lever 78 when the ram is lowered to thereby actuate themovable comb. rlhis abutment in the present instance is in the form of apin 84 which may be adjusted in any suitable manner as, for instance, bymeans of a longitudinal adjustable cam 85 behind which is a spring 86.The cam is adjusted by means o1" a screw 87. The pin S-l is held inplace by a screw plug 88 and is normally urged towards the cam 85 by a ispring S9. Between the ram and the head there is provided means forresiliently pressing the head downwardly against the links when the ramis lowered. In the present instance, these means take the form ofplunger-s 92 behind which are springs 93, the plungers and springs beingmounted in suitable vertical bores 94 in the enlargement. The plungersbear against the inturned or flanged lower edges 95 of the end plates76.

The ram 66, together with the comber mounted thereon, may be raised andlowered in any suitable manner, as, for instance, by means of a cam 100operating through a rocker lever 101 pivoted to the standard 67, as at102. rlhe forward circular end of the rocker lever engages in atransverse opening 1.03 in the ram. As most clearly shown in Fig. 2, thecam 100 has a cam groove provided with a portion 105 which is effectivet0 lower the ram; a portion 105/1, which slightly raises the ram to thedotted line position, as shown in Fi 9, after the links are combed; adwell portion 1057) which holds the ram in that position, and in whichposition the combs hold the links in proper overlapping relation withsuch pressure that the pilots L may aline the holes oli the links; areturn portion 1050 for rais-ting the ram to its highest position; and adwell portion lOfZ for holding the ram and comber in elevated position.While the dwell portion 105?) is etli'ective, the pilots come into playto properly aline the holes in the overlapping combed plates and thepins Z are inserted as the portion 1050 is eilective to raise the ram tothe dwell port-ion 105cZ.

rlhe means for supplying and inserting the connecting members or pins Zwill now be described, particular reference being had to .ilo

f through suitable openings 113 in the guide 10.8 y

Figs. 1, 2 and '.7 The pinsrare'supplied :trom

. to end relation. The lower ends of these passages register withgrooves107 lin .the upper i'ace of-a-guide-1108 fixed to thebed. i The shuttlel has in its. upper face, a pair of grooves 109 spaced apart-inaccordance with the grooves 107 and respectively registering therewithwhen the shuttle .is in the p-in receiving position shown in Figs.- 1and 20. -T he forward corners of the. groove 109 are inclined, as at110, so as to act in the nature of cams for forcing back the pins whichmay be protruding from theV grooves 107 and into the path of movement ofthe shuttle.

T he push rods K are carried. at oneside of the channel Afby a slide112, which extends .transversely oi-'and beneath thev channel. This.slide is guided in aisuitable groove or wayi 112 on thebed. Thepushirods K slide and one side wall ofthe channel A. As shown arrangedasto positively fmove the shuttle,

most clearly in Figs. 2 andA 18, the sidewall has openings 114 which areadapted to respectively.accommodate-the push rods. The pilots L whichvare in alinement with the push rods Wall of the channel is provided withopening 115 in which the pilots are guided.

`The'shuttler I, which 1s mounted onV the lguide 108 vfor movement atright angles to the line of movement of the slide 112, is reciprocatedin `the Vfollowing` manner particular referencebeing had to Figs. 1, 2and 7 Supported in the foot of the standard 67 is a rockershaft 116,having atone end an arm.

117, engaging in a recess 119 in the bottom of the shuttle. On-the otherend of the shaft 116 is an upwardly extending karni`120, connected by a`pin `and slot arrangement 121 to `upper end of the lever123carries aroller 125 with whichcooperates a-cam 126.. ,This cam is in the form ofa flange extending from one face of the cam 100.` The cam 126 issothrough. the connections described, from vdelivery into receivingposit-ion after the pusher rods have been advanced andthen withdrawn tothe fully retracted position shown in Fig. 1. The cam 126 is further soconstructed that at the proper time a spring 127 may move the shuttleaccording tothe cam path vfrom receivingto delivery position.

IThe, slide .112 which carries the. push rods K, is'reciprocated intimed relation to the pilots L and the shuttle in the tollowing man-:ner: Fixed to the leftliandend of the slide 112, referring tov Fig. 2',isan extensionY 130,

carrying-,the pin 131, which is straddled by K, are carried by a slide118. The other the yforked end of one larm of a bell'crank lever 132pivoted to the standardV 67- as at 133. The other end of the lever 132carries a roller 135 which rides in a cam groove ,-provided in the faceof the cam 136. This cam groove has adwell `portion 137 which holds thepush rods in retracted position shown in Fig. 2; a portion 1370iforadvancing the push rods to effect insertion of the pins, asshown inFig. 18, and a portion 137?) foi-.moving the push rods to retractedposition. y y n The pilots L are operatedas follows Con-v nected to arock shaft 140, j ournalled on the bracket 67, is an arm 141, the lowerend of which, asshown in Fig. 2, cooperateswith the slide 118. On oneend of this shaft 140 sey sition until the pins being advanced by thepush rods engage the ends ofthe pilots and a portion 1480 which isrelatively wider than the remaining portions of the groove and in whichthe roller 146 is positioned while the pilots are being moved back toretracted `position by ther push rodsv acting through the pins as shownin Fig. 18.` When the roller 146 reaches the .position indicated by the,reference 1486i the pilots are positively moved slightly so as toinsure that the sameV areywith.-

drawn out .of the path of movement lof the chain advancing pushers 38'.Vi y As previously stated, the pins are fed by gravity through the chuteH tothe `grooves 107 in -the guide `108.'k For the purpose-ofV holdingpins inthese grooves and againstthe pressure .of the pins within thechute, when the shuttle is moving to and` from delivery position, thefollowing arrangement may be provided, reference being particularly hadto Figs. 1 Vand 7.' Mounted in theguide 108 and between the grooves 107is the plunger or clamp having a head adapted when the clamp is loweredto rest upon the pins VWithin the grooves.-` The clamp 155extendsdownwardly through theslide and has o n its lower end, a springnormally urging the clamp into clamping position. 157 is a vstud havingan arm 158 engaging the lowerend of the clamp lio iis

155. On the other endof the stud 157 is an arm 159` which is adapted tobeengaged byV 107. When the shuttle starts to move from its receivingposition, the screw 160 `is withdrawn from the arm 159, whereupon thespring 156 urges the clamp downwardly into clamping position and theclamp will be held in this position until the shuttle returns to itsreceiving position. The numeral 162 designates a stop against which theshuttle I abuts when the spring` 127 moves it to delivery position.

The connecting members may be the linal hardened pins of the chain ormaybe in the nature of dummy pins. In the latter instance, after the linksare assembled into a chain by use of the present machine, the dummylinks may be withdrawn and the linal pins inserted without disturbingthe established relation of the links. It maj7 be found desirable to usein combination with the present machine means for heading over theconnecting members or atleast so operating upon the ends of theconnecting mein-bers after they are inserted that they will not beaccidentally displaced during subsequent operations if any, upon thechain. To this end, there is shown, by way of illustration. means forclinching or nicking` the ends of the pins after they are inserted. Thismeans is actuated in timed relation to the other mechanisms and may vbeof any suitable construction. It is herein shown as including a pair ofopposed clinchers or jaws 165 mounted for reciprocating movement in theside walls ofthe channel, as shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 3. In thepresent instance, these jaws have sharp edges adapted to nick the endsof the pins, thereby forming thereon thin, small projections. The jawsare normally urged away from each other 'by a spring pressed plunger166. The jaws are moved towards each other by levers 167 pivoted at 168and connected by toggle links 169 and a link 169 pivoted to one end -ofa lever 170, the other end of this lever having a roller 171 working ina cam groove` in the face of a cam 172. This cam `groove has a dwellportion 173 for holding the jaws in withdrawn position; a portion 17 3a.for moving the jaws to wards each other and thereby nick the oppo siteends of the pins, and a return portion 1732), during which the springpressed plungers v166 may move the jaws apart.

By preference the guide plates Y are supplied to both of the chutes Dand E from a single hopper. a portion of which is disclosed in Fig. 13.This hopper may be generally similar to that disclosed -in the patentVto F. Muller No. 1,365,940 granted Jan. 18, 1921. In the presentinstance, however, the guide plates or links are delivered into thechan- Anel leading from the hopper irrespective of the `direction inwhich the points `or sharp corners of the links, lying within the rim ofthe rotary cone, project `and the links are de` livered from thischannel to two branches so that all of the links delivered to one branchhave -their points projecting in one direction and those in the otherbranch project in the opposite direction.

Referring particularly to Figs. 13 to 17, inclusive, 195 designates ahopper and 196 a rotary cone having a rim or liange 197. The cone 196may be similar to that described in said Mull-er patent and may bedriven in like manner. The numeral 198 designates a channel leadingtangentially from the hopper and at a level with the upper face of therim 197. One side wall at the forward end of the channel forms anejector 197 which guides the links which are lying lengthwise inthe rimof 197-into the channel 198, irrespective of the direction in which thepoints of the links point. The channel 198 leads into two branchchannels 200 and 201. The former may be considered as being acontinuation of the channel `198. At the fork between the channels 20()and 201 is a deflector or turning plate 202 -so constructed that thelink elements with their points projecting towards one side ofthechannel 198 will ride over the plate 202 and into the channel 200, andthe remaining elementsihaving their points projecting towards the otherside of the channel 198 will be d-ciiected by the plate 202 into thechannel 201. In the present instance, each guide plate has its back edgecurved convexly and its over side edges concavely` curved. The endcorners Y at the back are more pronouncedlyl curved than are the cornersor points Y at the other edge. The turning plate 202 has its forwardedge 203 inclined transversely and in alinement with one wall of thechannel 201 and the foremost corner yof this plate is pointed at 204.The plate tapers down in thickness both transversely and longitudinallytowards this point, that` is to say, is wedge shaped. "It will be seenparticularly'from Figs. 13 and 15 that when a guide plate with itspoints pro jecting to that side of the channel 198 from which thechannel 201 extends, a rounded end corner of the back of the plate willengage against the vertical front face 203 of the turning plate and willthereby be deflected into the channel 201. As seen in Fig. 16, when alink element having its points facing in the other direction is fed upto the turningl plate 202, the forelnostpointof the element will engagethe point 2041A and be raised thereby so that the element will clear thevertical face 203 and be forced by succeeding elements over the turningplate into the channel 200.

The channels 200 and 201 respectively termi nate in the upper ends ofthe chutes D and E. A coverplate 209 may be provided for the channels.This cover plate, as is shown most clearly in Fig. 167. is provided withapertures 210 1n registry with the chutes. These apertures are adaptedto accommodate the passage of tampingmembers 2,11 which may lio y 8.0.engage-s theiabmmeni s1; ae' lever-.is is. rocked in a directionvtojlongitiiinally move the movable combing?bladesfrom' the 'posif ylinks A-l andthe-set Ahi-f2`,iarefadvancedr be` similar to, Aand.operated Yinflike manner as, the tamping members disclosed insaid F.Muller patent. 4 l,"

The advantages,V of lthe. A4arrangement v'just describedare that theuse'ottwonseparate hoppers, one for Veachside o'fthetwochutes,

is avoided asinglechopper is employed toV supply to the respectivechutesi finfV steady streams and at` the Ldesired= rapid; rate linkelements properly `positioned .with respect to simple, consistsr of 1relatively few. parts, I and requires practically no lattention exceptthat' link plates be Supplied toit-life 'hopperf f The operation of thecomplete'machine will now be briefly describech particularreferencebeing had to Figs. 8,' 9 and.l0,fshowingathe combing .mechanismA andFigs-..18 toQl, in elusive,` diagrammatically y illustrating- `.thesequence of movementsj of `various instrumen?. talities. vlnltligalSthe.parts `are? shown 4in the position which theyassume atthetime pins arebeinginserted through lthe holes oiv the combined links. Attilis timethe comber is in the position shown in.. 1*`ig.g9,I ywithzthe ram 66 inthe dotted-line position .of that figure. It willbe noted that; thesetof links A-l is held iniposition-gibetween the-teeth.V

69 of the movable combinglblades-anda setV oflinks Alf-2 is heldingpositionbetween the central and foremost projection or teeth 72 ofvthe fixed blades. v71.` Thepressureof the ram on thecomberghas,yhowever,been somewhat relieved because ,theV ram has! beenmoved upwardly bythe'.cam'100.fromthe full to the dotted line position of-VyFig. 9, sothat Ywhen the pilotsK.V are advanced,-the` links are sufiicientlyrfree`to peimitfthese pie; lots to/ accurately aline V,the vholes ofthelinks; to be connected. InFig. .18 the push; rods are` advancing. toinsert ,pins ZA, 4andftliese;pinsv Assuming now=` that the ipins'jhaveserted and the gram. 66 raisedfully, -thefpuslivv rods K are withdrawntothe retracted position Vshown. vin l1 "i, g;.. ,19. `.VYhen this :ramvis thus raised', thecombem Y .a gagement withlthe links andvih/enjtharmtion shown in Fig. 9`to thatA showr'iinFig.V 8. After the :comberhasfbee'n" raised and ,the

tially formed chain"comprisingi'the set or the distance oftwo pitcheslbythe? p'ushers 38 distance of-thelengthofV the'linkslso that another rowof linkV elements, `tall.y off which bear' the referenceicharacterxb,ismoved `to oomb A if ingposition.;` When `theaslide`.fE-.isadvancedgnpositionshownfin *'Fig' 8 to that shown inl thedriving link l pusher. 35 Yblankets or covers the` discharge fend ofthechute C, and the guide' plate pushers 36 blanket the discharge end-oftherespectivefchiites DandE. This positionof the parts `is lshown inFig. 19. At aboutthisvtime, the shuttle Istarts toinove from .thedelivery .position shown in Fig. 18 tothe'receiving position shown inFig. 20. The slide F- isnow retracted' and-whenit has been moved to theposition shown in Fig. 20, and at which position the pusher partiallyblanks-the delivery end ofthe chute C, the guide Meis advanced to the?position shown in Figs.4, 20 andQl. `When the slide F` has been moved tofull withdrawn position shown in F ig. 18,1the links inthe delivery. endof gages the arm `159, whereupon `the clampv lis raisedxso as to`permita pair of pins Z' .tobeA delivered to thev grooves 109 of theshuttle Il When thejshuttle `then starts to; move to 'delivery position,the Vscrew 160 is withdrawn from the arm 1159 whereupon` thefclamp V155vbecomes effective to hold Ithe pinswhich have been delivered to thegrooves r Afterthepartially formed chain has been advancedand,preferably, while the slide F is moving to retractedlposition, in` orderthat there should be no unnecessary delay, the ram'` is lowered so as tobring the comber into operative relation tofthe row of'links b whichhave:been` moved into combingvposition'.

When theram Vis thuis lowered, the combs first .engagethelinks asshownin Fig. 8. -In this position the Alinks of the setaA-LQ arepositioned-in the seats providedbetween the foremost and middle projections 72 ofthe fixed combing blades, the alternate links Z 2 of the row .to-beicombed are heldin the seats provided bythe middle projections andthe rearmostl projections 72 of the fixed blades,

and the intervening-links Vb-.l are positioned between the teeth 69 ofthe movabl'ecombing blades. When` the combs are broughtv into engagementwith the links,the comber is cushioned by the springs 93 with respect'to the arm,so that-injury to the parts is avoided, asinooth actionrmaybe had, iandthe links may lie-properly. alined i After the comber hasposition shown. in Fig.v 8, the. ram continues .onf its downwardmovement to theposition shown inig; 19 A. and during `such movementiVthepin 84zrotates the lever 78 in a direction to move theimovablecombing blades 68 Vfrom the been bron ght to y, the' Fig. 9, therebymoving the intervening links bhl fromthe position shown in Fig.V 2O tothe position shown in Fig. 21. In Fig. 20 these links b-1, are shownas'just starting on their movement. After the links b-l have been thuscombed, the ram is raised to the dotted line positionshown in Fig. 9 soastio relieve the links of excessive pressure and thereupon the pilots Lare advanced as shown in Fig. 2l. When these pilots are thus advanced,they aline the holes at the opposite ends ofthe links b-l with the holesin the respective links @-2 and b--2. The ends -ot' the pilots aretapered, thereby permitting them to weave their waythrough the holes ofcertain of the links which may be slightly out of alinement. After thepilots have been moved to full forward position, the ram is elevated andthe pins Z which have been moved to delivery position lby the shuttle Iare inserted'by thc 4push rods K. The pilots are forced back by the rodpushers K, acting through the pins so as to insure against possibledisplacement ot the alined links as the ram is being` raised. After eachforward step of the chain, the jaws are operated to nick the ends of thepin .Z alined therewith. This sequence ot movements is repeated until achain of the desired length'isobtained.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the machine isentirely automatic in its nature; the several operations are carried outin a very simple yet effective manner, and the speed of operation isvery high so that the rate ot production is relatively great, all ofwhich means that the lparts of the chains are very quickly,ettectively'and properly assembled.

I claim as my invention: i

l. In a chain assembling machine, the combination ot means for formingsuccessive rows of transversely Yalined link elements means forsuccessively 'moving the y'rows by advancing the same the distance ofthe length of the link elements into combing position, means independentof saidyl'ast mentioned means for moving certain of the link elements ofthe respective rows the distance of one pitch, and means for advancingthe partially formed chain a distance of ytwo pitches each time linkelements are added thereto.l i

2. In a chain assembling machine, means for Ytorming successive rows oftransversely alined link elements, means for successively moving saidrows to combing position by'advancing the same with an intermittent.movement corresponding to the length of the vlink elements, meansindependent of said last mentioned means -for combing the rows atcombing position to thereby advance certain olf the link elements oftheV respective rows the distance of one pitch, means for insertingconnectors into the opposite ends of the last mentioned link elements,and means forV jadvancin'g the chain under construction'thedistance oftwo pitches each time link. elements are added'thereto.

3- In a chain assembling machine, means for forming successive rows oflink ,elements in side by side relation, each row having two charactersof link elements and the link elements of the several rows beingcorrespondingly positioned, means independent ofy said last mentionedmeans for successively moving the rows to combing position, means forcorrespondingly combing therows thus positioned to bring the linkelements thereot1 in overlapping relation, and means for insertingVconnecting members in the con'ibed links.` i l fl. In'a. chainassembling machine a guideway in vwhich the links are assembled, meansfor delivering links in side-by side relation to said guideway, pushermeans `for intermittently advancing the link elements in a successionv"of rows in said Tguideway, means independent of. said pusher means forvsuccessively combii'ig said rowsto therebyV bring certa-in ofl the4link elements thereof into overlapping relationto the link elementslast connected to the chain, means for inserting connecting members inthe overlapping link elements, and means adapted to engage the insertedyconnecting members -for advancingthe'chainA each time link elements areadded thereto.

5. Ina chain assembling machine, a guideway, means for delivering linkelements thereto, pusher means forA advancing the link elements in saidguideway in a succession ot rows to combing-position, means forsuccessively combing the rows at combing position to thereby'bring thelink elements ot the respective rows into overlapping relation, andpushermeans -at each sident the guideway arranged to engage the'connecting members inserted throughthe 'overlapping link elements toadvance the'partially formed `chain eachvtime link elements are addedthereto.

'6. lIn a chain assembling machine, a guideway, means for deliveringtransversely alin ed link elementsv to said guideway,.pusher meansforadvancingthdlink elements in rows with.

an intermittent movementequal to the length ot the elements, combingmeans arranged to advance corresponding link elements of succes'siverowsa distance'ot` one pitch, and pusher means for advancing the chainthe distance of twogpitches each time link elements are connectedthereto. y

7. fIn a chain assembling machine, a guideway, a chute for deliveringlink elements in side by siderelation to said guideway, a

chute ,for delivering to Asaid guideway link elements of,y anothercharacter, means for advancing said link elements in said guideway in asuccession of rows with the link elements of f' the diferent characterssimilarly positioned, and means for successively and correspondinglycombing the'` rows oflink-elements. i: 1 8. In a chain assemblingmachine, a guidev Way, means forv deliveringy transversely row beingcomposed of similarly placedilink elements of both characters, means forsuccessively combing said rows, means-for insertingconnecting members inAthe combed link elements, andvmeans for advancing the chain eachY `timelink elements are add-ed thereto.

9. In a chain assembling machine, a guideway, means for deliveringtransversely alined links to a central portion of said guideway, meansfor deliveringjlinks of another character. to each 'sideo-ffsaidfguideway, means for advancing therlinkelements de.- livered tosaid guideway in a *successionV of rows andto a combing position,andvmeans independent'of 'said last mentioned means and operated intimed relation'y theretoV for :successively-.combing the rows deliveredto combing position..y j

l0. In achain assembling machine,a guide- Way, a chute for deliveringlinkelements ot one character to a central portion'of said guideway, apair ofchutes in advanceiof the first mentioned one and deliveringtotheopposite sides of said guideway linkelements of another character,pusher means for advancing the link elements dcliveredby the rst chute,and pusher means for correspondingly advancing the link elementsdelivered by the second mentioned chutes.` -Y

11. In a chain assembling machine, means for supplying successivelygroups of transversely alined link elements to combing position adjacentto the tail endioi the chain nnder construction, a comb having membersspaced apart in accordance with the spaces vbetweentlie link elementslast connected to the chain and means formoving said comb on a lineatanfanglerto the Vdirection in Which the link elements are moved and intoengagement with link-elements supplied to combing position, then movingthe comb to `bring the links which it engages intobverlapping relationtothe link elements,last'connected to the chain, and then moving thecomb to normal position.'` j 'i il. i

l2. In a chain assembling machine, means Vfor successively Asupplyingrows of 4transversely alined link elements to combing position, a combcomprising a'plurality of blades transversely spaced apart and eachhaving a pair of `projections adapted to Vlengthwise straddle and engagethe opposite ends of the link elements, and means for moving the comb tobring the link elements engaged .overlapping7 thereby intooverlappingrelation to the link elements ofthe next preceding sets.

"13. In a chaingassembling machine,means for. supplying successiverowsof Alink elements to a combing posit1on,1combing means includingmembers transversely spaced apart in accordance with the spaces betweenthe link elements last connected to the chain,`each of said membershaving a pair of projections n j adapted to longitudinally straddle therespective link elements, a plurality of members in intervening relationto said combing members .and arranged to center and hold thelinkelements last connected tothe chain, and mechanism for movingsaidmembers into and outI of engagement witli'the ,respective `link elementsand causing said combing elements to move-the link elements engagedthereby into connected to the chain. Y f

`lll. In acliain assembling 'machina` means for supplying link lelementsin transversely alined relation to a combing position adjacent relation`to the linkl elements last the-tail end of aV-chain under construction,a l

comb adapted4 to move links thus-supplied into intervening `andoverlappingfrelation vto the next preceding setof link elements, and

operating means for said comb to move into engagement with the Ilinkelements tobe V combed, then longitudinally'to radvance the linkelements. intooverlapping relationto the next preceding set of linkelements, and then away :from the link `elements,said operating meansbeing arranged,` to resiliently Y press the comb into engagementwith thelink elements 'to bev combed' and partially v.relieve .the pressure onsuch link elements -after they Vllave been moved to overlappingposition.

15.In a chain assemblingmachine,means for supplying linkY elementsintransversely i alined relation to afcombingfposition adjacent the tailendof a chain `'un-derconstruction, a comb adaptedfto move link elementsthus supl -plied into intervening and overlappingA relation tothe nextpreceding set of link elements,

means for lioldingthe set of link elements last yconnected to the chainWhile the lnext succeeding set is'brought intozover'lappingrelationthereto, andmeans Afor.movii`ig`said holding means VYandcombinto'engagement with the` i'. link elements of. the-respective sets,then .long itu'di'nally4 moving` th'efv comb.-I to advance theelementsengaged thereby into overlap- 'ping relation Vto the :next preceding'setof link I elements, .then raising the combv and lholding means, saidmoving'mefans beingarranged to resilientlypress the comb and holdingmeans into engagement with ythe link elements of izo the Vrespectivesets and partially Arelieve the i 'pressure on ,suchy linkelements Whileconnecting members are inserted the overlapping ends of the linkelements.

16. In' a chain assembling machine, *the* combination` of lmeans forsuccessively vpresenting `rows of link yelements''arrangedin side byside relation adjacent to the tail end of a chain under construction, avertically and horizontally movable comb for bringing corresponding linkelements of each row into overlapping relation to the remaining linkelements of the respective row andto the link elements lastl connectedto the chain, and a vertically movable comb for holding the linkelements last connected to the chain and said remaining link elementsagainst longitudinal movement during the Vcombing operation and whilealining members are iniserted through the combed links.

17. In a chain assembling machine, means for successively supplying rowsof link elements to a combing position, a movable comb having memberstransversely spaced apart in accordance with the spaces between the linkelements last connected to the chain, a second comb having a pluralityof members in intervening relation to the members of said first comb andarranged to center and hold the link elements last connected to thechain and those link elements oi the respective rows which are notadvanced during the combing operation, and mechanism Yfor moving saidcombs into and out of engagement withV the respective link elements andcausing said first mentioned comb to move the link elements VengagedVthereby into overlapping relation to the link elements last connectedto the chain.

18. In a chain assembling machine, means for supplying successive rowsof link elements to combing position adjacent the tail end of the chainunder construction, means for combing a row of link elements thussupplied into overlapping relation to the link elements last connectedto the chain and to the remaining link elements of the respective row,means for holding the link elements last connected to the chain and saidremaining link elements during the combing operation, means for movingsaid holding means into and out of engagement with said mentioned links,and pilots insertible in the overlapping ends of the link elements whilesaid holding means is effective.

19. Ina chain assembling machine, means for successively positioningrows of alined elements in a combing position, means for successivelycombing the rows of link elements, means for inserting connectingmemberssin the combed link elements, means for advancing the chain eachtime link elements are added thereto, and means for temporarily nickingthe ends of the connecting members.

20. In a chain assembling machine, the combination of means forsuccessively positioning rows of transversely alined link elementsadjacent the tail end of a chain under construction, means for movingcorresponding link elements'oi` the respective rows a distance ofonepitch, means for inserting connecting members throughV theopposite endsof the link elements t-hus moved, means l'or advancing the chain adistance of two pitches each time link elements are added thereto, andmeans for temporarily nicking the ends o't said connecting' members.

for inserting connectors through the opposite ends of the combed linkelements, and means for nicking the ends of said connectors including apair of edged jaws, and means for moving the same towards and away fromeach other.

22. Chainlink combing mechanism including a comb mounted 'for movementon a line normal to the direction in which the chain is advancedand'into engagement with the link elements to be combed and mounted formovement in the direction in which the link elements are to be combedand having trans versely spaced apart projections adapted to engage saidlink elements.

23. Chain link combing mechanism ineluding a longitudinally movable combhaving a plurality of transversely spaced apart blades provided withseats adapted to respectively receive the links to be combed, a secondcomb lixed against longitudinal movement and having blades inintervening relation to said first mentioned blades and each providedwith a pair of seats adapted to respectively receive link elements oftwo sets.

24. Chain link combing mechanism including a carrier, a comb mounted.for movement thereon, means for raising and lowering said carrier, andmeans for moving said comb in a direction to comb the link elements.

25. Chain link combing mech auism including a carrier, a comb mountedforlongitndinal movement thereon, means for raising and lowering saidcarrier, and means actuated by movement of said carrier for moving saidcomb.

26. Chain link combing mechanism including a carrier, a head. mountedthereon for limited movement relative thereto, a movable comb on saidhead, and' means between i,

said carrier and comb for moving said com b in said head when said combhas been brought into engagement with the link elements to be combed.

27. Chain link combing mechanism including a carrier, a head mounted forlimited movement thereon, a comb mounted for movement on said head', anda lever carried by said head and cooperating with said comb, said headhaving means thereon adapted to comb carried bysaid head againstlongitudA engage said lever when the carrier is lowered to tliereby movesaid comb in said. head.

2S. Chain link combing mechanism including a carrier, a head'mounted'for limited movement thereon, a comb inovably mounted in saidhead, a lever pivoted in said head and cooperating with said comb, anadjustable member carriedV by said carrier adapted to engage said lever,an arm connected to said lever, and a iiXed abutment adapted to engagesaid `aim When saidrcarrier is raised.

29. Chain link Vcombing mechanism including a comb havino' spaced apartcombing members, a secondj comb having combing members in interveningrelation to the'first ones, and mechanism for 'moving said combs intoand out of engagement With the respective linkv elements and causingsaid first comb to move thelink elements engaged thereby intooverlapping relation'to other elements. Y

30. Chain link combing mechanism including a carrier, a head mounted forlimited movement relative thereto, a combv on said head, resilientmeans, between said carrier and head for urging said comb resilientlyagainst the link elements, and means :tor moving said carrier to` bringthe comb into and out of engagement With thelink elements and at apredetermined time to partly relieve the pressure on said head'. Y

3l. Chain link combing mechanism including a'cai'rier, ahead mountedthereon for limited movement, a combv mounted for movement in said head,means actuated by the movement of said carrier for moving said comb insaid head, springs between said carrier and head, and means for raisingand lowering said carrier Vand arranged to slightly raise said carrierto partially relievethe pressure of the comb onthelink elements afterthe link elements have been combed.

32. Chain link combing mechanism ineluding a carrier, a head mountedthereon for limited movement, a comb' mounted in said vhead forlongitudinal movement, a second inal move1nent, resilient means betweensaid head and carrier, means for raisingv and lowering said carrier,andrmeans controlledby the movement of said carrier and mounted in saidhead for moving said movable comb.V

33. In combination, a push rod mounted for longitudinal reciprocatingmovement, a chute at one side of said rod and down which connectors areadapted to be fed end to end, a shuttle movable back and forth intooperative relation to said chute and rod, means for moving said shuttle,and means for moving said rod in timed relation to said shuttle.

'34. In combination, a pair of push rods positioned side by side andmounted for lon- ,the samer'into alin'ementrfwith, the respective A:saidlast .mentionedmeans 35. 4Incombination, a push rod .for longitudinal"reciprocating movement, a

e'dr'tobe ed'b-y gravity,z aV shuttle having `a pair lof 4groovesadapted to respectivelyreceive1pins from, said vchute `and then carryrods, means orlongitudinally reciprocating said rods, and means. for ftransversely re- Y ciprocating said shuttle in timed relation .to

4mounted pin Lfchute down Whichapins'are adapted to be fed in end to endrelation, ashuttlereciproeating back and forth in operative relation tosaidpin chutea-ndpush rods, a clamp at the discharge end `ofsaidVchutevfor holding a pir`if*against` `movement 'While said shuttleis3moving, means carried by saidshuttle for Y controlling said clamp,means for reciprocatingsaid shuttle, and means for reciprocating `36. Incombinatioina guideway, a chute `'adapted to deliver link elementsfin'side by l side. relation and .in upright `position "to saidl guidevvay,afpusher for advancing said link sition.

37. vIn a chain assembling machine,`a guide- `vvay,'a chute fordelivering link elements .through the side of said guideway and to a-Vcentralportion thereof, a pair of chutes in advance of the firstmentioned one for delivering link elements to the Vopposite sides ofsaid guideWay, a pair of diaphragms one in front of the delivery end ofeach of the second mentioned chutes, said diaphragms being spaced aparta distance corresponding to that of the guideway to Which the firstmentioned chute delivers, pusher means for advancing the link elementsdelivered by,

the irst mentioned chute, and pusher means for correspondingly advancingthe link elements delivered by the 'second Vmentioned chutes. l i 38. Ina chain assembling machine, Va guidevvay, means forsupplyingtransversely alined link elements to said guideway, means Vforadvancing saidlink elements inroWs in said guidevvay to Va combingposition, and combing means independent of said last ,mentioned meansfor moving` the link elements delivered to the combing position intointervening and overlapping relation to the link elements, lastconnected to the chain, said combing means comprisinga plurality oftransversely spaced apart members movable in the direction of the lengthof the VIHchain.- gitudinal Y reciprocating movement, a pin chute downWhich tivo lines of pins are adapt-l 39. In combination, a guidevvay, achute `adapted to deliver elements in side by side

